James Stewart's 3 day painting course - 30 April - 2 May 2011 at Coombe Farm Studios.  Oil Painting still life with James Stewart – An introduction to painting with oil colours from stretching your own canvas to a completed work in three days.

Tina reports:  James has exhibited with us at Coombe for over a decade, his work is instantly recognizable, beautifully analytical and often shows great humour. His highly collectable large and small- scale work sells regularly at the Affordable Art Fair in London as well as via the Coombe Galleries. James studied illustration including a specialized wildlife course at Dyfed College of Art, Carmarthen and worked as a freelance illustrator in London and Manchester designing book and album covers before moving south to pursue a career in Fine Art.  James’s work has been shown at such prestigious UK exhibitions as the Royal Festival Hall, the London South Bank Exhibition, the Royal Academy Summer Show, the Benson and Hedges Gold Award and the BP National Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery. He has also exhibited internationally in New York, Sydney and Melbourne. Portrait commissions have included Picasso's model Sylvette David, Sir Terry Frost of the RCA and the late Professor Roland Levinsky. The creativity James employs in developing his original work and subject matter is supported by a rigorous attention to detail and the highest level of skill and technique. This course will take students through the stages of oil painting showing the basic steps and processes from stretching and priming their own canvas to completing a work focusing in on techniques and looking in detail at colour and composition. Spring is perhaps the most beautiful month in Devon full of wildflowers. A great time to enjoy the surroundings as well as learning to paint. Course prices range from £350- £255 for more details & to book click here  or call 01803 722352

2.  Up the creek with a paddle

Nigel Way reports: This was our team building day and because of the high pressure, the tide was held down and we were unable to get back up to the Malsters.  So we were up the creek with a paddle !! This was with our friend Phil Sheardown from Canoe Adventures,  click here to visit their website.

Those of us who know Nigel are well aware that he is used to working under high pressure, and for once it actually affected him!

We noticed the other day that as well as good food in the Royal Castle Hotel bar and the Nu restaurant , that you can check out each individual room by clicking here  and also here Rooms 14 and 27 are our favourites, which do you fancy? And can you find the one with the Jacuzzi ?

3.   Lunch @ Browns

James Brown reports: Do you sometimes want a relaxed, picky lunch with a nice glass of wine or two? Do you fancy something that is not too heavy but a bit indulgent? We hope that our new format Saturday Deli lunches will hit the spot. This is not formal, most of the food will come from the bar, tables won't be pre laid, limited pre booking. Fun! Fun!! Fun!!!

We have over 12 cheeses, 5-7 cold meats including our own smoked meats, cured salmon, several sorts of freshly baked, homemade breads, great salads, chutneys, pickles, hot jams and much more. If you want steak on a board with hand cut chips, our plat de jour, or local fish, we'll have it all!

We have some new cuts from the blade, smoked huss, our own smoked chicken, some skate wings and a great cheese board.  Of course, this is another great opportunity for you to use your loyalty card points and drink at off sales prices!

4.  Made in Dagenham

Made in Dagenham (or "We Want Sex" in Germany & Italy or "We Want Sex Equality" in France) is a 2010 British film directed by Nigel Cole. The film stars Sally Hawkins, Miranda Richardson, Rosamund Pike and Jaime Winstone. It dramatises the Ford sewing machinists strike of 1968 that aimed for equal pay for women. The film's theme song, with lyrics by Billy Bragg, is performed by Sandie Shaw, herself a former Dagenham Ford clerk, and simply full of the very best 60's music.  Dave Cawley said "This is a corker, a simply must see, probably the best film to be shown this year.   If you aren't a member just pay the entrance fee at the Windjammer."

This film is on tonight at the Guildhall at 7.30pm. Guest tickets can be purchased tonight at The Windjammer pub in Victoria Road, Dartmouth for just £3.60, between 7.00 – 7.25 pm. New members can join at the door on any screening night. For further information contact: Clive Osborne on 079-6802-6449

5.   Small News

• With Spring in the air and frequent sunny days, now is a great time to spend a long weekend in Dartmouth.  Potter around in the town, walk out to the castle and catch the ferry back, go and see the magnificent cliffs and sea at Little Dartmouth (very top photo taken last week), and then consider coming back for a week!

Why not come and visit Dartmouth?

• Self catering accommodation click here
   
• Dartmouth B and B  click here
   
• Dartmouth Hotels click here
   
• A Tourist Guide to Dartmouth click here
   
• Shopping in Dartmouth click here

Images copyright  Dave Cawley,  Andy Kyle,  & others.